Sunday, July 8, 2012 am
IS THE “CHURCH OF
CHRIST” A CULT?
I.
What is a cult?
a.
Defined –
the term actually has many different definitions:
From the simple, “1. a particular system of religious
worship, especially with reference to its rites and ceremonies.
4. A group or sect bound together by veneration of the
same thing, person, ideal, etc.
6. A religion considered to be false, unorthodox, or
extremist, with members often living outside of conventional society
under the direction of a Charismatic leader.” (Random House Dictionary,
2012)
According to some of these definitions, EVERY religion is a cult.
And this is something we need to keep in mind as we address this
subject.
b.
While such are technical
definitions of a cult,
what do we often think of when we use the word?
Usually we think of highly charismatic leaders such as David
Koresh (Branch Davidians in Waco) or Jim Jones (Ghana) or Sun Myung Moon
(Moonies) who amass a following that isolates themselves from society in
some sort of commune and treat their leader as their messiah, often
infallible. They often
engage in extreme and unorthodox practices that draw attention to
themselves and their minds are controlled to some degree by its leaders.
Collins dictionary gives the following definition, “a quasi-religious
organization using devious psychological techniques to gain and control
adherents.” (© 2009)
c.
AND this is the stigma
that is attached to the use of this word.
While those who use the term may not have these communes in
mind, almost always
the word is used to scare people
away from considering the teachings of this so-called “cult.”
When used in reference to the “church of Christ” (as opposed to main
stream denominationalism) the word is used negatively to implant in the
minds of others that we engage in practices which are controlling,
extreme and unorthodox.
d.
We will see some of the
things that we teach that prompt others to call us a cult.
a.
Christians have been attacked and misrepresented with negative words since
the beginning of the church. Jesus said it
would happen. It happened in
Acts. Etc.
i.
Facing execution Jesus
warned His apostles, “If the world
hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of
the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the
world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.
Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater
than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you.
If they kept My word, they will keep yours also. But all these things
they will do to you for My name’s sake, because they do not know Him who
sent Me.”
(John 15:18-21)
ii.
AT least twice, Jesus
said, “And you will be hated by
all for My name’s sake.”
(Matt. 10:22, 24:9).
iii.
John 16:1-3 records, ““These
things I have spoken to you, that you should not be made to stumble.
They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that
whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these
things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me.”
b.
Jesus was vehemently
attacked for His teachings.
i.
We have discussed this
in our lessons about His life.
The gospels and book of Acts demonstrate the degree to which men
will go to defend ungodly lifestyles and attack those who expose them.
ii.
IN Matt. 12:24 the
Pharisees accused him of casting out demons by the name of Beelzebub,
the ruler of the demons.” (cf. Matt. 9:34)
He had warned His disciples, “A
disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master.
It is enough for a disciple that he be like his teacher, and a
servant like his master. If
they have called the master of the house Beelzebub, how much more will
they call those of his household!” (Matt. 10:24-25)
iii.
They called Him a
blasphemer – Matt. 9:3, John 10:33
c.
They went after His disciples
–
i.
John 7:45-52, when
officers returned without Jesus (having been sent to arrest Him) the
Pharisees said they were deceived and “this crowd that does not know the
law is accursed.” Even
Nicodemus, who simply appealed for them to consider what He taught in
light of the Law was rebuked by them.
ii.
After the church was
established, the book of Acts records resistance.
First by the Jews, then at times by citizens of various cities
throughout the Roman Empire.
iii.
Acts 24:5 -
after Paul’s 3rd missionary journey, he goes to Jerusalem
where he is arrested.
We are warned that if we stand for the truth, we will be resisted.
In the meetings with Roman authorities afterwards we read some of
the accusations made against Paul and Christians.
Before the governor Antipatris of Caesarea, Paul is described by
the Jewish leaders, “We have found
this man a plague, a creator of dissension among all the Jews throughout
the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes.”
In Rome when Paul had opportunity to teach some of the leaders of the
Jews about Christ they said, “We
neither received letters from Judea concerning you, nor have any of the
brethren who came reported or spoken any evil of you.
But we desire to hear from you what you think; for concerning
this sect, we know that it is spoken against everywhere.” (Acts 28:21-22)
The word “sect” is from the Greek word that is transliterated into
English as “heresies”, a word which means divisions.
Vine’s describes it as, “a choice…hence an opinion, especially a
self-willed opinion, which is substituted for submission to the power of
truth, and leads to division and the formation of sects.” (Heresy)
In other words, they were calling Paul a heretic – or one who
rejected their perception of truth.
This is very similar to the way in which the word “cult” is
sometimes used today.
iv.
We are warned. 1 Pet. 4:12-16 warns us not
to think it strange concerning fiery trials we are to face.
We are reminded in this text that when we face persecutions and
sufferings, we “partake of Christ’s sufferings”.
We are encouraged that if we do suffer, let it be “as a
Christian.”
In Matt. 5:10-12 Jesus
warned of persecutions. He
said, “Blessed are those who are
persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven...”
2 Tim. 3:12 says that
all who desire to live godly will suffer persecutions.
v.
The point-
when you stand for the truth there may be consequences.
Not everyone will accept and “enemies” will speak against the
truth and us as we try to teach it.
III.
Why are we called a cult
by some?
a.
Let me quote a couple of
websites to give you an idea:
i.
In an article entitled:
DANGER: The Church of Christ
Cult by David J. Stewart, he begins, “The Church of Christ is a
false church. They require good works for salvation. The Church of
Christ is just as dangerous as Catholicism, Jehovah's Witness, or the
Mormons, because they claim to be "Christian"; BUT they are not!
Whereas religions like Islam and Black Muslim openly deny the Christian
faith; the Church of Christ claims to be Christian, and so Satan uses
them to seduce people into Hellfire.”[1]
ii.
In an article entitled,
“Common Sense Questions a
“Church of Christ” preacher cannot clearly answer”, David Martin
(a Baptist preacher) begins by saying, “The religious sect known as the
"Church of Christ" has many peculiar and aberrant doctrines that are
contrary to the word of God. It is a most deceptive and dangerous cult.
Their teaching of baptismal regeneration is an age-old heresy that has
damned millions to hell, and is still doing so today. The idea that they
are the one, true and restored church of Jesus Christ puts them in the
same league with the Mormon and Roman Catholic churches.”[2]
iii.
“But there are groups
that are classified as cults that may seem to many, to be Christian
denominations. The way to determine if a group is a cult is solely by
their teachings, and if those doctrines conform to the teachings of the
Bible and historic Christianity. There are many doctrines which differ
among Christian denominations, but they all share teachings that are
essential to the Christian faith. In those areas, all Christian churches
are in agreement. Some of those doctrines are: that there is only one
true and living God and that the one God is manifest in three persons,
the Father, Son and Holy Spirit; that the Bible is the infallible word
of God; and that salvation is a gift of God, by grace through faith in
the Lord Jesus Christ. When a group differs in these areas from
historic, Biblical Christian doctrine, then it falls into the area of
being classified as a cult.”
Something to Consider,
Proclaiming the message ministries.[3]
iv.
In essence, all of the
above quotes demonstrate why we are called a cult: Because we do NOT
endorse mainstream denominational doctrine!
b.
In other words, we are
called by some a cult, because we:
i.
Reject salvation by “faith only.” The Bible
CLEARLY teaches what one must do to be saved: – Believe – John 3:16,
8:21, Mark 16:16;
Repent – Acts 2:38, Luke 13:3, 5, etc.
Confess Jesus as the Son of God – Rom. 10:9-10, cf. Ac. 8:37, etc.
Be baptized – Acts 2:38, Mark 16:16, 1 Pet. 3:20-21, Gal. 3:27, etc.
Concerning “faith only” please read James 2:24
Furthermore, obeying God’s word does NOT negate His grace, nor our need
for TRUE faith!
ii.
Believe that Jesus built only ONE true church
– 1 Cor. 1:10 finds Paul calling for unity!
Matt. 16:18 Jesus came to build ONE church (Eph. 4:4).
That the church is NOT built of various denominations, but rather it is
made up of individuals. (1 Cor. 12:12-13, 27).
The very concept of denominationalism is contrary to scripture!
Furthermore, the organization, work, worship and other aspects are
clearly outlined in scripture and they are a PATTERN we are expected to
follow. (cf. Heb. 8:5)
iii.
Teach that God demands faithfulness to Him once we obey the gospel.
Scriptures are clear that as a Christians we can “fall from grace” (Gal.
5:4); end up with a condition worse than when we obeyed the gospel (2
Pet. 2:20-22); become disqualified (1 Cor. 9:27), etc.
c.
These are all EXTREME
doctrines and they differ from “historic, Christian doctrine…”
But they ARE taught in scripture, and they are NOT taken out of
their context (as some contend).
a.
Why do we reject
mainstream “denominational doctrine”?
i.
Because what they teach
on many of the subjects we have discussed are error!
ii.
WE do not differ just
because we can. Nor so that
we will stand apart. Our
desire is TRUE unity as our Lord prayed for in John 17:20-21, 1 Cor.
1:10
b.
We RESPECT the word of
God for what it says!
i.
It CAN be understood –
Eph. 3:3-5, 5:17
ii.
It applies to ALL men –
Matt. 28:18-20
iii.
It comes from God – Gal.
1:11-12, 2 Tim. 3:16-17
iv.
It is complete – 2 Pet.
1:3, Jude 3, etc.
c.
It is truly sad that
much of the denominational world denies any need to submit to the
teachings of the Bible. Some
who accuse us of being a cult say that if we demand anything other than
simply believing in Jesus, we are teaching works salvation and thus are
cultic. (NOTE: Not everyone
says this!) In essence some
say, “God doesn’t care what you do as long as you believe in Him.”
How far do we take this?
What if one doesn’t believe in Jesus, but believes in God?
Who is to say that such is the standard of salvation?
I know of many who say it doesn’t matter what God you believe in
– Allah, Mormonism, JHWH (as a Jew), etc. – as long as you believe in
God. Why should we only
accept as truth the LIMITED scriptures that profess Jesus as the Son of
God and faith only, but relegate the rest to SUGGESTIONS to be followed
only if you want to? Think
about it!
d.
I will choose the follow
what the word of God says – even if it is unpopular and results in me
being part of a cult or a sect or some other term.
a.
According to what some
describe as a cult, Jesus could be called a cult leader.
Consider that He:
i.
Was a dynamic leader who
amassed a following – consider His triumphal entry into Jerusalem where
people laid their garments at the feet of the colt He was riding in on
and called out, “Hosanna to the Son of David!...Hosanna in the highest.”
Everywhere He went, people followed Him in droves.
ii.
He claimed to be the Son
of God and accepted worship – John 10:33
iii.
He claimed to have
spectacular powers – including forgiving sins (Matt. 9:1-2)
iv.
His teachings were
“unorthodox” – He continually taught “but I say to you” in contrast to
the Old Law that He was under.
v.
He held “extremist”
views as He challenged the traditions of the elders – Matt. 15:1-2, etc.
He didn’t go along with the majority or popular views.
He simply taught “truth”!
vi.
He came to establish His
kingdom – “which was not of this world.”
vii.
Others could probably be
added to these, but as we have seen – many of the religious leaders of
the day were unimpressed with Him and rejected Him.
It was such “claims” that prompted them to call Him a servant of
the devil, a blasphemer, etc.
And they set out to stop his followers!
b.
His teachings were
different, but they were the TRUTH! John 8:31-32.
Would you be willing to follow Him, even if it meant being called
a heretic or part of “the sect of the Nazarenes”?
We
know that we are NOT a cult.
When such terminology is used, it is prejudicial and designed to
discourage people from investigating whether or not what we teach is
true. BUT Whether or not we
are called a cult doesn’t really matter.
What DOES matter is that we follow what God’s word says.
If you want to know what the “church of Christ” teaches, ASK A
MEMBER! Ask an elder or a
preacher, but don’t assume that those who are without are interested in
portraying the truth about us.
Think about it!
[1]
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com
/False%20Religions/Church%20of%20Christ/exposed.htm